Dec23
December is shaping up to show the U.S. industry’s strongest year-over-year sales increase of what’s been a dismal 2009. Expect a 15 percent spike in new vehicle sales in December, powered by a retail surge, according to projections released today by industry forecaster J.D. Power and Associates. “The market is continuing to improve, with the relative strength of December sales supporting a year-end rally,” Gary Dilts, senior vice president of global automotive operations at J.D...
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Dec22
Even in the face of a bleak economy and dreadful auto sales, Subaru managed to have a breakout year in 2009. Products like the Forester and the Impreza helped Subaru achieve consistent year-over-year gains while the Japanese automaker continues to post stellar quality ratings through J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. And the accolades don't stop there. The new-for-2009 Forester was crowned the 2008 Motor Trend SUV of the year, and this year Subaru accomplished a surprise repeat taking...
Dec21
General Motors Co. has appointed Chris Liddell, Microsoft Corp.'s finance chief, as vice chairman and CFO, replacing Ray Young. Liddell, 51, has served as Microsoft's CFO since May 2005. He had previously announced he was leaving the software company on Dec. 31. The hire brings another well known auto industry outsider to GM's shifting senior executive team at a time when the automaker has been struggling to close deals to sell key assets and regain sales momentum in the U.S. market....
Dec18
General Motors Co. CEO Ed Whitacre said GM has paid $1 billion to the U.S. Treasury and $192 million to the governments of Canada and the province of Ontario. This is the first regular payment for GM of the $8 billion of bailout debt that the company says it will have paid off in June. Whitacre on Tuesday said that automaker would repay its government loans by June, the first time a GM official had set that short of time to settle the debt. "We are grateful for the support the...
elebrating the enormous success of the DBS and V12 Vantage which have surpassed all sales expectations since launch, the new special editions add a typically understated flair to these acclaimed models. Featuring bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint especially formulated with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep rich patina. Each car will undergo 50 man-hours of hand painting followed by stringent quality checks. For the V12 Vantage the iconic Aston Martin side strake has been...
Dec17
Introducing the Freelander 2 Sport, which goes on sale in the UK in January 2010. In showrooms early next year, the Freelander 2 Sport will be available with two derivatives and two colours – Santorini Black and Lago Grey. Both will feature exclusive 19" limited edition diamond-turned alloy-wheels, a unique two-tone interior together with a rear spoiler, colour-keyed exterior trim and matching door handles and mirror casings.
General Motors Co. today named Brian Sweeney, general sales manager of Buick-GMC, to lead the division. He replaces Michael Richards, who left the automaker last week after just over a week on the job. Sweeney's appointment was announced by Susan Docherty, vice president of sales and marketing, at a press event in Detroit this morning. As The Detroit News first reported Wednesday, Sweeney replaces Michael Richards, who resigned last week after nine days on the job. Susan Docherty...
Dec16
The MOTION sets a new standard with all-wheel drive Dual Powertrain Technology (DPT) which provides a combined 800 hp. Power comes from a 550 hp, modified Ford EcoBoost twin- turbo 3.5-liter V6 driving the rear wheels acting independently of a 250 hp electric motor driving the front wheels. This unique AWD system launches the MOTION to 60 mph under 2.5 seconds with a top speed over 200 mph.
The new Audi A8 – with Google at the leading edge of Connectivity A8 searches for and retrieves internet content via the mobile phone network, Online point-of-interest search powered by Google integrated with the Audi navigation system, Google Earth available for the first time in a production vehicle
Ingolstadt, 16. December 2009 – In early 2010 Audi will be bringing the next generation of the A8 to the starting line. The new flagship and its online services further demonstrate the...
The 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li Sedans – Six-Cylinder BMW Power Returns to the 7 Series in North America. Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 16, 2009 2:00pm Eastern ... As an exciting example of its EfficientDynamics engineering philosophy, BMW announced the North American debut of the 7 Series with a twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine. Featuring BMW's award-winning inline-6 engine that produces V-8 power on six-cylinder fuel consumption, the new BMW 740i and BMW 740Li achieve a remarkable...